How to keep your family safe throughout the winter months.

How to keep your family safe throughout the winter months.

Whether you’ve got small children or a pet dog, it’s important to keep everyone safe throughout the winter months. Rain, sleet and snow can fall when you’re least expecting it, so perhaps now is the time to pull out those thermals and invest in a decent snow shovel.

Here’s how to look after your family during the nippy spell:

Throwing on a few extra layers can help keep the cold at bay, as can turning up the heating and snuggling under a duvet. There’s nothing worse than shivering in your own home, so make sure you’re nice and warm throughout the nippy season. Thermals are a winter must-have as are bed socks and fingerless gloves for around the house. A matching hat and glove set is ideal for a night exploring the Christmas markets and a thick jumper can work wonders. Try your hand at knitting winter warmers or create your very own patchwork bed spread. Unleash your creative side and enjoy arts and crafts with the whole family.

If you’ve got a cold breeze blowing through your house try making a draft excluder. Simply get your hands on a piece of colourful material that is 4cm longer than the width of your door. Iron it, fold it in half so the pattern is on the inside and pin the sides together before stitching up the length of the rectangle. Turn the material inside out to reveal the pretty pattern and stitch up one of the ends. Stuff a pair of tights using beanbag balls, rice or lentils and tie a knot in one end before inserting this in the open side of your material. Stitch the last end together and you’ve got yourself a homemade draft excluder.

To keep your family snug, safe and secure, it’s essential to put up a pair of heavy curtains. Thick material with energy efficient thermal lining will help keep the cold out and the heat in. A chilly breeze can lead to high energy bills, so do all you can to keep the icy weather out of your house. Visit a home store near you or get creative with your sewing machine. There are many instructional videos online and you’ll be able to make a pair that suits your house perfectly. You might also consider layering curtains to make sure your house really does stay warm this winter.

Mother Nature can send a flurry of snow or a harsh frost at any time, so make sure you’ve stocked up on winter essentials. There’s an array of winter road maintenance kits online and you’ll also find snow ploughs, deicer salt, grit spreaders and even salt bins. There’s nothing more annoying the sliding down your driveway so make sure you take the relevant precautions. Always keep de-icer nearby for your car and keep a first aid kit nearby in case someone takes a tumble.

Winter can be an enjoyable time of year, so long as you stay safe throughout the dark months.